Former BYU standout Todd Christensen died Wednesday morning due to complications from surgery, the school announced. Christensen had battled liver disease and other serious illnesses in recent years. He was just 57.
Former #BYU TE Todd Christensen passed away this morning due to complications from surgery. Our love & prayers are w/the Christensen family.
— BYU Cougars (@BYUcougars) November 13, 2013
Christensen was a four-year starting running back at BYU from 1974-77 before becoming a five-time Pro Bowl tight end during an 11-year NFL career. Christensen briefly played for the Cowboys and Giants before emerging as an elite pass-catching target with the Oakland Raiders. His best season as a pro was 1983 when he caught 92 passes for 1,247 yards and 12 touchdowns. From 1983 to 1986, Christensen amassed 349 receptions.
He won two Super Bowls with the Raiders in 1980 and 1983 and after retiring in 1988, Christensen worked as a broadcaster for NBC, ESPN and the CBS Sports Network, among others.
He was inducted into the BYU Sports Hall of Fame in 1992.
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